Three firsts for tertiary scholarship winner

Three firsts for tertiary scholarship for local student

September 23, 2003

North Shore City Council has awarded a three-year scholarship for tertiary study to Tahauariki Thompson, a sixth former at Hato Petera College in Northcote.

The scholarship programme run by the First Foundation provides talented and financially disadvantaged New Zealand students with scholarships for tertiary study. Students are partnered with organisations or companies who contribute towards their tertiary fees while providing them with part-time work during their study years. It's about offering top students a 'hand up, not a hand out'.

Chief executive of North Shore City Council, John Brockies, says this is a first time partnership between the council and First Foundation and the first time a student at Hato Petera has received a First Foundation scholarship. The scholarship, worth $5,200 per year includes holiday work at the council.

"Tahau's interest in pursuing a career in engineering or town planning combined with his leadership qualities and good grades made him our natural choice. I believe he'll seize the opportunity with both hands and make a success of it," says Mr Brockies.

Choosing engineering or town planning as his preferred career means that Tahau who lives in Birkenhead will probably study at Auckland University in 2005. In the meantime, Tahauariki says he has a busy time ahead of him with seventh form next year, prefect duties, and holiday work at North Shore City Council.

"I'm looking forward to my holiday work as the council is such a diverse organisation and offers so many opportunities. I'm hoping that during my four years, I'll be able to work in the different fields of town planning and engineering and explore other areas of interest including resource management and community development," says Tahau.

Mr Brockies says that council staff are looking forward to developing an ongoing relationship with Tahau during his tertiary studies and his holiday work at the council.

Tahau was selected from a short list of nine candidates provided by First Foundation. Selection criteria included overall school grades, credits gained, level of personal achievements, place of residence and high school attended, career intentions and communication skills.

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